New plaques to commemorate residents who served in World War I will be unveiled at this year's Armistice Day service at Lithgow and Portland. The Lithgow service will be conducted by the Lithgow City RSL Sub-Branch at Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday, November 11 at 11am. The new plaque will name an additional 762 World War I servicemen. The current cenotaph has only 131 names of those who died during the first World War and three who returned. Lithgow WWI Commemorative Plaque Project Committee secretary Ian Burrett was the man behind the operation, inspired by his father. “My father was Lieutenant Col Joe Burrett, he was the platoon commander in the third Battalion at the battalion’s last World War I battle and won the Distinguished Service Order,” he said. Mr Burrett said 72 people who died during their service were not named on the existing cenotaph. “I have long thought that the Lithgow War Memorial should recognise all those who served in World War I. “After the service we can officially say that a total of 896 names of Lithgow people will now ‘Liveth for Evermore’,” he said. Read more: The new plaque will be unveiled by 96-year-old Muriel Irwin whose father Rudy Schulstad was one of the 11 Lithgow bandsmen who served in the 20th Battalion band. “Myself along with 2LT’s Peter Watson will assist her,” Mr Burrett said Peter Watson’s grandfather, Regimental Sergeant Major Jack Cox, served in the first world war and was recommended for the Victoria Cross. Mr Burrett said the people named through their war time and peace efforts helped establish the peace and lifestyle we enjoyed in Lithgow today. “The people named went through up to four years of hell. The least we can do to honour their service and sacrifice is to spend a few minutes attending the Armistice Day service,” he said. Lithgow City Council mayor Cr Ray Thomspon said it was remarkable that so many Lithgow people served when there was no conscription. “Lithgow men and women decided to serve their country in such a terrible conflict that claimed the lives of so many,” he said. Cr Thompson encouraged the community to attend this year’s ceremony and see if their ancestors were listed. There will also be a free sausage sizzle run by Lithgow Lions Club after the service. The full names, service number and rank of those appearing on the new plaque can be found on https://library.lithgow.com. Surnames and initials are on display at the Lithgow Workies, Club Lithgow and Lithgow Library. While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.